Job Summary:

The Award Administrator is responsible for reviewing and processing award related transactions which are received at RPI and processing an assigned portfolio of award setups and non-financial award transactions. The Award Administrator is responsible for accurate and timely customer service for the awards team, including sharing assignment of centralized inbox and ticketing system monitoring, triage, and assignment for awards at RPI.

Who we are:

Founded in 1824, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) is the first technological research university in the United States. We bring creativity, science, and technology together to address society's greatest challenges. We cultivate exceptional problem-solvers by immersing them in a culture of rigorous inquiry, disciplined practice, and hands-on application. Our strategic plan, RPI Forward, charts a pioneering course for the next era of RPI. Explore the RPI Forward plan. ↗︎

Nestled on a beautiful 275-acre campus in upstate NY, RPI is home to five schools, 32 research centers, three makerspaces, an observatory, one of the world’s fastest supercomputers, and the IBM Quantum System One - the first university-based quantum computer in the world. 

With top notch employee health and retirement benefits, Rensselaer offers its full-time employees a generous paid time off program, tuition remission, and opportunities for career growth. 

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in a related field and a minimum of two (2) years of relevant professional experience required.

Relevant combinations of education, training and experience may be considered.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience using Banner Finance or similar ERP system
• Work experience in research administration, contract administration, or in a higher education environment

Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of sponsored award receipt, negotiation, and financial account creation in a university/research institution setting;
• Knowledge of federal regulations and policies governing educational institutions and/or non-profits, specifically 2 CFR 200 (Uniform Guidance) and rules related to Federal grants management in a Higher Education environment
• Ability to interpret routine federal grant terms and conditions
• Familiarity with eRA and ERP systems (such as Cayuse and Banner) in a higher education/research environment
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of privileged documents and communication.
• Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite
• Ability to analyze and interpret data
• Requires excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Requires strong organizational skills.
• Requires excellent customer service skills
• Requires ability to work effectively under pressure and meet established goals and objectives.
• Requires ability to work with a diverse population.
• Requires strong computer skills and knowledge.
• Requires careful attention to detail; accuracy.
• General knowledge of grants management issues preferred.

Representative Job Duties:

• Review and process awards and award modifications in Banner/Cayuse SP, in accordance with Institute policies/procedures and sponsor requirements, including establishment of electronic files and management of other tracking systems related to cycle times and statuses, and liaise with internal stakeholders as appropriate, from award receipt to execution, to manage any negotiations.
• Receive, review, and process requests for prior sponsor approval which include budget modifications, no cost extensions, change in scope, change in key personnel, and transfers, analyzing award requirements and requests from campus for compliance with sponsor and institute rules.
• Respond to questions and concerns from faculty, administrators, General Counsel, and other RPI offices in a timely fashion.
• Complete Cayuse and Banner transactions in accordance with existing business process documentation and training, and perform clean-up items as assigned related to project closeouts or necessary corrections which have been identified.
• Provide timely responses to RPI stakeholders (faculty, business managers/administrators, or other finance units as applicable), as assigned.
• Manage the RAF Awards centralized inbox and internal workflow and ticketing system (Trello).
• Maintain and manage RPI central office accounts and functions in external sponsor award systems (federal and state).
• Perform other duties as requested and assigned.

Shift:

Business Hours: Monday - Friday

Driving:

Incidental driving possible, but not required

Starting Salary/Rate:

Expected hiring range: $63,000 -$65,000

Pay transparency disclosure: The selected candidate’s salary will be determined based on factors that include the available budget, internal equity, and the final candidate’s qualifications, experience, education and other job-related credentials. This hiring range is provided as Rensselaer’s good faith estimate of the expected hiring range at the time of posting.

Application instructions:

Follow the on-screen prompts to create a brief online profile. Please be ready to upload your resume and cover letter.

If you need assistance with the online application process, please contact careers@rpi.edu.

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Total Compensation and Benefits Information:

Rensselaer’s Total Compensation Program is designed to provide stable pay growth, a comprehensive and affordable benefits package, and a comprehensive and affordable retiree medical and prescription plan. Our goal is to provide you and your family with a comprehensive health and welfare program as an umbrella of financial security and protection during your employment. For more information, please visit Benefits | Human Resources (rpi.edu).